Howard and Crisp met while in college in Wilmington, North Carolina. That fall, they moved to nearby Raleigh to form The Rosebuds. Merge Records discovered their demo in early 2003 and released Make Out as a full-length debut album that October.
The Rosebuds Unwind EP, an EP with six songs, was released in April 2005, followed by Birds Make Good Neighbors in September. Night of the Furies was released in April 2007 and "Life Like" in October 2008.
The Rosebuds will release their next album in the summer of 2011 on Merge Records.
Border Guards
The Rosebuds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were my sleep waitress in this baking trailer park
On a calm March night, they left their drunken shouts behind
And carried you away to find work, a better life
I hear the stars talking from the tin roof of my home
Placing bets on the emigrants on how far they might go
I wonder where you are, are you out there all alone?
We can dance without a mask, just come back from where you've gone
The desert was a curse, lying still in wait for you
There's a coldness where you walked, and a silence in my yard
How can I not see you now? Goddamn the border guards.
The Rosebuds's song "Border Guards" is a haunting tale of separation and longing. The opening lines set the tone for the sorrowful journey the song takes us on - "The hot and dusty road is where all things fall apart." It seems to suggest that the environment and circumstances play a role in the fragmentation of one's life. The singer recounts a beautiful memory of a brief encounter with someone they cared for - "You were my sleep waitress in this baking trailer park." It seems that the person he's addressing was taken away by the border guards to find a better life. The singer remains behind, thinking of her and wondering where she is.
The song builds on the sense of loss as the singer imagines the stars above him placing bets on the emigrants and the long journey they must undertake. He wonders if the person he cared for is alone and if she made it through the harsh desert. The final lines of the song are powerful- "There's a coldness where you walked, and a silence in my yard. How can I not see you now? Goddamn the border guards." The singer's desperation is evident as he acknowledges the emptiness left behind and the pain of separation from someone he held close to him.
Overall, "Border Guards" is a poignant take on the issue of migration and the impact it has on individuals and relationships. It highlights the psychological stress and trauma that long-distance separation can bring. The song's mournful melody and lyrics drive home the sense of loss felt by the singer and perhaps by many others with similar experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
The hot and dusty road is where all things fall apart
The harsh conditions of the road cause everything to break down and fall apart.
You were my sleep waitress in this baking trailer park
You were there for me, helping me get through my sleepless nights in this hot, rundown trailer park.
On a calm March night, they left their drunken shouts behind
When they left, the noise and chaos of their drunkenness was left behind, but their memory still lingers.
And carried you away to find work, a better life
They took you away to find employment and improve your quality of life.
I hear the stars talking from the tin roof of my home
Late at night, I can hear the stars shining on the tin roof of my small dwelling.
Placing bets on the emigrants on how far they might go
The stars are predicting the fates of the migrants, wondering how far they will make it.
I wonder where you are, are you out there all alone?
I'm curious about your whereabouts and whether you're living in isolation.
We can dance without a mask, just come back from where you've gone
We can live openly without fear of discrimination, if you would only return from where you were taken.
I wonder where you are, did you ever make it through?
I'm still wondering if you were able to make it through the challenges of the journey.
The desert was a curse, lying still in wait for you
The harsh desert was a deadly obstacle that was waiting for you.
There's a coldness where you walked, and a silence in my yard
There's an absence of energy where you used to walk, and my yard is now silent without you.
How can I not see you now? Goddamn the border guards.
I can't understand why I haven't seen you since you were taken away, and I'm angry at the border guards for separating us.
Writer(s): Ivan Howard, Kelly Crisp Copyright: 4track Love Songs
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.